Manitoba health minister apologizes for breaking public health orders
Manitoba's health minister has apologized after appearing in a photo breaking the indoor mask mandate at an event over the weekend.
Pictures shared on Facebook Sunday by Families Minister Rochelle Squires show herself, along with Health Minister Audrey Gordon and Minister Cathy Cox (Sport Culture and Heritage), posing for a photo with a group of people at an event at the Winnipeg Art Gallery – all are unmasked.
"It's unfortunate and it was wrong and that should not have happened and for that I deeply apologize," Gordon said during a news conference on Monday.
"I do believe that as minister of health I should be held to higher standard and I have always upheld that standard."
Gordon said she had attended a social event at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and had removed her mask while sitting at her table to eat and drink.
"While I was seated at the table I was asked to pose for a photo, and I got up and joined the group in the photo neglecting to wear my mask," Gordon said.
"I want to apologize for that because as the health minister, as I said, I have been a role model in terms of the restrictions and encouraging individuals to adhere to the restrictions and at that one particular time I do regret that I didn't think much deeper about my decision to pose for the photo. And for that I ask for forgiveness – I feel very badly about that today."
Squires and Cox also apologized for not wearing a mask in the photo.
A spokesperson for the Winnipeg Art Gallery told CTV News it held its annual fundraising gala on Saturday evening.
"Guests were advised to wear face masks when not seated unless taking a sip of a drink. Some chose to remove masks for a moment to have their photo taken," the spokesperson said in a statement.
"We increased staff and volunteer presence to escort guests to tables, to hold doors open to reduce contact points, to remind guests to wear masks throughout the evening, and to increase sanitization."
The spokesperson said proof of double immunization was required from guests at the event.
Current public health orders require masks be worn in indoor public places, but specify that masks can be removed temporarily when eating or drinking. Manitoba currently has a $298 fine in place for violating the indoor mask mandate rule.
Gordon said she has not heard if she will be fined, but said if she is handed a ticket – she will pay it.
Correction
EDITOR'S NOTE: The spokesperson from the Winnipeg Art Gallery revised their initial statement to say the following:
"Guests were advised to wear face masks when not seated unless taking a sip of a drink. Some chose to remove masks for a moment to have their photo taken."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.